1 Kings 5

Alliance with King Hiram

1 ¹Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for ²Hiram had always * been a friend of David.

2 Then ³Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying,

3 "You know that ⁴David my father was unable * to build a house for the name of the LORD his God because * of the wars which surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

4 "But now ⁵the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune.

5 "Behold, ⁶I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.'

6 "Now therefore, command that they cut for me ⁷cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."

7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "Blessed be the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people."

8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message which you have sent me; I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber.

9 "My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea ⁸to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away. Then ⁹you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household."

10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber.

11 ¹⁰Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 * kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil; thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year.

12 ¹¹The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.

Conscription of Laborers

13 Now ¹²King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced laborers numbered 30,000 * men.

14 He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 * a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And ¹³Adoniram was over the forced laborers.

15 Now ¹⁴Solomon had 70,000 * transporters *, and 80,000 * hewers of stone in the mountains,

16 ¹⁵besides * Solomon's 3,300 * * * chief deputies who were over the project and who ruled over the people who were doing the work.

17 Then ¹⁶the king commanded, and they quarried great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with cut stones.

18 So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and ¹⁷the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timbers and the stones to build the house.

1 Kings 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

Solomon's agreement with Hiram. (1-9) Solomon's workmen for the temple. (10-18)

Verses 1-9 Here is Solomon's design to build a temple. There is no adversary, no Satan, so the word is; no instrument of Satan to oppose it, or to divert from it. Satan does all he can, to hinder temple work. When there is no evil abroad, then let us be ready and active in that which is good, and get forward. Let God's promises quicken our endeavours. And all outward skill and advantages should be made serviceable to the interests of Christ's kingdom. It Tyre supplies Israel with craftsmen, Israel will supply Tyre with corn, ( Ezekiel 27:17 ) . Thus, by the wise disposal of Providence, one country has need of another, and is benefitted by another, that there may be dependence on one another, to the glory of God.

Verses 10-18 The temple was chiefly built by the riches and labour of Gentiles, which typified their being called into the church. Solomon commanded, and they brought costly stones for the foundation. Christ, who is laid for a Foundation, is a chosen and precious Stone. We should lay our foundation firm, and bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men. And happy those who, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Who among us will build in the house of the Lord?

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 2:3
• 2. 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1
• 3. 2 Chronicles 2:3
• 4. 2 Samuel 7:5; 1 Chronicles 28:2, 3
• 5. 1 Kings 4:24; 1 Chronicles 22:9
• 6. 2 Samuel 7:12, 13; 1 Chronicles 17:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6; 2 Chronicles 2:4
• 7. 2 Chronicles 2:8
• 8. 2 Chronicles 2:16
• 9. Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17
• 10. 2 Chronicles 2:10
• 11. 1 Kings 3:12
• 12. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 9:15
• 13. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 12:18
• 14. 1 Kings 9:20-22; 2 Chronicles 2:17, 18
• 15. 1 Kings 9:23
• 16. 1 Kings 6:7; 1 Chronicles 22:2
• 17. Joshua 13:5; Ezekiel 27:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Ch 5:15 in Heb
• [b]. Lit "all the day"
• [c]. Lit "evil occurrence"
• [d]. Lit "say"
• [e]. Lit "all your pleasure"
• [f]. Lit "send"
• [g]. Heb "Hirom"
• [h]. Lit "was giving"
• [i]. Lit "all his desire"
• [j]. I.e. One kor equals approx 10 bu
• [k]. I.e. One kor equals approx 10 bu
• [l]. Lit "spoke to"
• [m]. Lit "raised up"
• [n]. Lit "was"
• [o]. Or "burden bearers"
• [p]. Lit "work"
• [q]. Heb "Hirom's"
• [r]. Or "chiseled"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.